Ryan Dunn, Reece Beekman and the Virginia defense smothered Texas Southern in a 62-33 victory on Thursday night in Charlottesville, Va.
The Cavaliers (4-0) tallied 13 steals and 10 blocks, scored 21 points off 20 turnovers and held the Tigers (0-3) to 26.1 percent shooting overall and 18.8 percent (3 of 16) from 3-point distance.
Dunn had a game-high 15 points, five rebounds, four blocks and three steals. Beekman added eight points, four assists, four steals and three blocked shots as Virginia improved to 110-2 when holding opponents to fewer than 50 points since Tony Bennett became the head coach in 2009.
PJ Henry and Jahmar Young Jr. led Texas Southern with seven points apiece.
A shooting slump continued for Henry, the preseason SWAC Player of the Year. He came in shooting 21.1 percent (8 of 38) from the field and made only 3 of 10 shots against Virginia.
Texas Southern mustered only 14 points in the first half and trailed by double digits throughout the second half.
The Cavaliers doubled up the Tigers at 50-25 on Jacob Groves’ three-point play with 7:36 left, part of a 14-0 run.
Virginia’s biggest lead was 59-28 on Taine Murray’s 3-pointer with 2:23 remaining.
This was the Cavaliers’ first meeting with the Tigers, who played in the past three NCAA Tournaments.
Texas Southern had nearly as many turnovers (11) as points in the first half, trailing 26-14 at the break.
The Tigers scored the first basket of the night on a dunk by Young but cooled off quickly.
Virginia surged to a 17-7 lead with a 10-0 run, capped by Dunn’s dunk with 9:11 remaining.
The Cavaliers’ largest lead of the first half was 24-11 on a 3-pointer by Dante Harris with 2:46 left.
UVA played without starter Isaac McKneely, who injured his left ankle in Tuesday’s win over North Carolina A&T.
The Cavaliers return to action Monday against Wisconsin in the Fort Myers Tip-Off in Florida. The Tigers continue a challenging nonconference schedule Saturday at No. 8 Creighton.
–Field Level Media
